The recent decision by Gent of Belgium defender Jordan Torunarigha to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria from Germany appears to have an effect on other players of Nigerian descent in Germany, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Torunarigha was handed a first time call up to the senior national team of Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers game against Sao Tome and Principe in Uyo, a game which Nigeria won 6-0 with the 26 year old an unused substitute in the game.
However, the decision of the former Germany U20 defender has alerted other players who have dual nationality that they can have a future with the senior national team of Nigeria, with opportunities for Germany at senior level now limited.
One of such players is Jonas David who is on loan from Hamburg to fellow Bundesliga 2 side Hansa Rostock, the 23 year old has already represented Germany at U19 and U20 level with a total of nine caps. In recent times he twice came close to getting a first time call up to the Super Eagles under former coach Gernot Rohr.
His representative told OwnGoalNigeria.com that he dream of following in the footsteps of Torunarigha in the coming years especially now that he is getting steady run of games in his favorite position at a centre back.
” The feeling was that the departure of Rohr portrays a bleak future for players like Jonas but that isn’t entirely true anymore with the invitation of Torunarigha. Jonas is keen on getting his chance with Super Eagles, he is just 23 and now playing in his favorite position as a center back. It might be now or in the future but he will still be here”, he revealed in an exclusive chat.
Osas Mahawi
